Who is writing this blog - and why?

Just under a year before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, Continental AG has initiated a special on-location training program. In collaboration with the successful "Energy Guides" tourism school in Johannesburg, Continental will train 13 young women and 13 young men - all previously unemployed and from in and around Soweto - for their later positions as part of Continental's hospitality and back office team from July 2009 to January 2010. The international automotive supplier is one of the main sponsors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. More than 200 people applied to take part in the training program.

The training program consists of a detailed look at the tourism industry, customer services, comprehensive application knowledge, geography modules, teamwork, and social and ethical values. In addition, the program is rounded off by special English classes and information on FIFA, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and the aims of the Continental Corporation’s communication and sponsoring activities. Once the course has finished, all 26 participants will spend three months gaining practical experience in well-respected companies within the tourism industry before beginning final preparations and training for the active phase of the Continental hospitality program in May. Assuming that the project is concluded successfully, the aim and goal of all concerned is for the graduates of the program to continue their employment following the World Cup.

Some of these participants will write here about their activities in the training programm and also share their view on how they see the preparations in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ - which will give the reader from abroad a local perspective.